The International Affairs Department allows clubs to reach beyond their own communities through education and global awareness.

The Reaching Out Internationally Program partners GFWC with many international organizations striving to make a lasting impact on children, families, and communities worldwide.

The United Nations Program educates members and their communities about UN programs concerning women and children and supports GFWC's presence as a UN Non-Governmental Organization Observer.

BWC International Affairs Department sent $300 to the Heifer Foundation, $200 to Save the Children, and we have an additional $200 in our budget for a new project. Contact Imelda Karlson with suggestions.

Plan USA: One of our visions is to involve our teenage girls/young ladies in some global projects through Plan USA, http://www.planusa.org/who/ourstory.php

Plan works in 49 developing countries and is one of the world's largest development organizations. Child sponsorship is the foundation of our organization. We have about one million sponsors in 17 donor countries helping over one million children all over the world, together with their families and communities.

• Their vision is of a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people's rights and dignity.
• Plan USA strives to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of deprived children in developing countries by:
  Enabling deprived children, their families and their communities to meet basic needs and to increase their ability to participate in and benefit from their societies;
• Fostering relationships to increase understanding and unity among peoples of different cultures and countries; and
  Being an advocate for the rights and interests of the world’s children.
  
  Plan is a child-centered organization. We work at the grassroots level with the active participation of children, their families and their communities.

  We involve children in all aspects of our programs. Projects are planned, implemented, and their results are evaluated at the level of the child. Families and communities contribute as much as they can of their time, labor, and their funds — a value that can amount to more than half of project costs.

  Designing programs at the level of the child, we can better see the complex web of causes and effects that impact a child’s life, and respond with programs in five interrelated areas—Growing Up Healthy, Learning, Habitat, Livelihood, and Building Relationships.

  Please send their name and e-mail address to Imelda Karlson

In October we collected dry goods for World Hunger Day. We collected about 80 cans and boxes of nonperishable food items for the Grace Ministries' Food Pantry. These items will be distributed to Williamson county residents in need.

The World Journey of Smiles - 25 Countries to Celebrate 25 Years: In November 2007, around the world, on the same day, at the same local time, Operation Smile conducted 40 missions in 25 countries, with the hope of treating an estimated 5,000 children with facial deformities. BWC completed more than 25 bags for the program.

Continue saving "freebies" for Operation Smile. Needed are: small washcloths, small shampoos and conditioners with screw tops, combs (no rat tails), hairbrushes, small mirrors, child size toothbrushes, travel size toothpaste, hotel size soaps, pencils, pens, matchbox cars, 8 pack crayons, thin coloring books, small notepads and small stuffed animals.

Past and/or Present Projects:
Hosting dinner for the Sister Cities Exchange Program	Child Reach
Care packages for soldiers in Afghanistan	United Nations Program
The Heifer project	Operation Smile
Pencils for Bosnia	C.A.R.E.
World Food Day	Save the Children

Organization:
Chairman:		Committee Members:		Jane Davis
				Nona Weatherby
				Imelda Karlson

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